Friday 4 July 2014

Can Bloggers do original?

A couple of weeks ago during a #Bloggersdoitbetter chat on twitter someone made a comment along the lines of ‘There is no such thing as an original blog post’. This comment has been really playing on my mind, I want to say it kind of offended me but at the same time by no means to I claim to be completely original. The comment really got me thinking.

So what is original? According to the Oxford dictionary it is defined as ‘Created personally by a particular artist, writer, musician, etc.; not a copy’.

So as bloggers we can’t deny that there are a lot of very similar posts floating about, I’ve seen sooo many ‘what’s in my handbag’, ‘makeup storage’ and similar posts in my blogging time. Also as a beauty blogger when an ‘it’ product is released we are bombarded with reviews on it. To the point I can’t be bothered to review it myself! Now don’t get me wrong, I’m sure I fall into this category occasionally, how can we not when there is so many blogs around these days. However we all have our own personalities, views, likes, dislikes so each post is slightly different, so would that be classed as an original post? Or what about being inspired by a fab blog and wanting to explore a concept further? Original or not?

Or as I’m sure others have noticed, I’ve seen quite a few bloggers outing fellow bloggers for outright copying posts lately. Firstly, why would you do that? And secondly it has only has added to my quandary around original blog posts. I don’t condone copying at all and feel so disheartening, and it got me thinking about why I started blogging. I find it so sad and frustrating when I hear about these things and when I see bloggers who ‘follow for a follow’ or those who get upset on twitter about having little followers. I have been working hard on my blog for 2 years, I never started this looking for followers, and I genuinely never expected anyone to stop by, so am ridiculously humbled and flattered that people spare their time to do so.
 
I started blogging for a creative outlet, I wanted something to do for fun where I could practice my writing and play with my camera. Did I want to be original? Yes I guess I did. My blog is personal to me, I blog about things I do, things I love, my passions.
I hope this doesn’t come across as some sort of grumpy rant, I am genuinely just questioning the authenticity of blogging. I think the question of ‘Can bloggers do original?’ really interests me. Perhaps bloggers aren’t original in terms of brand new ideas but original in personifying a post to themselves and their blogs?
I would love to hear your views on this subject? Is there even such a thing as ‘original’ anymore?

12 comments:

  1. I honestly agree, I've just scheduled a post about how writing review after review after "monthly favourites" has really grinded me down. I felt like I was just writing them because I felt that's what I was SUPPOSED to write as a beauty blogger with the mentality "beauty bloggers write about this so I should too since I am a beauty blogger"

    Originality is hard when there are so many different bloggers out there but I suppose if we own our blogs and make them reflect who we all are individually, originality and creativity will just flow :)

    Great post xxxxx

    www.aliciajadex.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I completley disagree with that comment! I think bloggers can still do and be original. Yes there are a lot of similar posts floating about but I think if we are creative and imaginitive enough we can still come up with new original ideas and content! Copying is never cool - I recently found some of my posts had been copied and pasted on another blog which really upset me, and I think if you can't think of your own things to write why even bother? We all get inspired by other blogs but the key is to out your own soin on it. Our blogs should be fun, a creative outlet and reflect our personalities too!

    xx Hayley-Eszti | www.hayleyeszti.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Love your comment! Completely agree that 'Our blogs should be fun, a creative outlet and reflect our personalities too!', its so true and I think that's why most of us do it!

      I've seen a few people say there posts have been copied lately, it always really shocks me that people can do that. I'm not sure how I would hand that if it happened to me.

      xxx

      Delete
  3. Really interesting post! Definitely should not lot trending posts define what your blog should be about!

    ReplyDelete
  4. That comment would have played on me too! Of course bloggers can be original! Yes there may be a lot of similar posts out there, but we are all different. Every personality adds there quirky little marks to their blog posts, so they are never really the same.

    Lennae xxx
    www.lennae87.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I completely agree! I took part in the chat but can't say I saw the comment, what was the topic that was being discussed? I think bloggers can be original and coming up with new and interesting ideas - but also keeping it personal to the blogger!

    Gemma xx
    http://touchofbelle.blogspot.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was a while ago now hun so cant remember, I think it was about content?! Just played on my mind! I think your completely right and at the end of the day blogging is personal to the blogger xxx

      Delete
  6. What do you think of this completely unrelated to beauty post? http://brownpaperroses.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/how-to-be-more-grateful.html
    Trying to be original as poss on my posts and find beauty posts really difficult so am always impressed how much people can write on beauty. xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey hun,

      Just stopped by and check out your post, I think we all need reminding of this more often! I am terrible at taking things for granted and make an effort to try and appreciate the small things. Its the little things that really do make this world a better place! :) xx

      Delete
  7. I agree with you, it's natural that bloggers are going to do similar types of posts but it's the writing style and each person's spin on it that makes it original. I don't mind reading a few reviews on the same product if something has just been released because everyone is different, and sometimes it's nice to hear about something from a blogger who has the same skin concerns (or tastes or whatever) as you. Lovely post :) xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's so true, I follow a few beauty bloggers who have the same skin issues as me and always check out their reviews of products I am thinking about buying. Everyone is different, and I don't mind seeing similar posts as long as the contents original! xxx

      Delete
  8. I agree with Beth, seeing as we're beauty bloggers, there is always going to be similarities. But the way we write is what changes it.
    xoMadiha

    ReplyDelete

Please leave comments, would love to hear your views....

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...